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Can Washington State Finally Put a Price On Carbon? (wired.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the taxes-and-fees dept.

jwhyche writes: Beth Brunton walks around Seattle with a magenta umbrella. At 75 degrees and there not being a cloud in the sky, it gets peoples attention. What she is attempting to do is get people to sign a petition supporting Initiative 1631, known as the "Protect Washington Act." If this was to pass, Washington state would become the first state to adopt anything like a carbon tax. "The initiative proposes a 'fee on pollution' that would put a $15 charge on each metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted in Washington starting in 2020," reports Wired. "That charge would rise by $2 plus inflation every year until the state meets its climate goals, which include cutting its carbon footprint 36 percent below 2005 levels by 2035. The revenue raised would go toward investing in clean energy; protecting the air, water, and forests; and helping vulnerable communities prepare for wildfires and sea-level rise."

The report mentions Washington's previous attempt at a "carbon tax" initiative, which was ultimately rejected. It would have initially charged businesses $25 per metric ton of emissions before ramping up over time.

9 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. The solution to pollution? A tax by mschuyler · · Score: 2

    Of course. If Seattle gets to choose, it will pass for sure. If the rest of the state gets a vote, maybe it won't. Seattle has never meant a tax it didn't like.

    --
    How about a moderation of -1 pedantic.
    1. Re:The solution to pollution? A tax by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Funny that you'd think any of this tax would go towards the stated purpose. Politicians are notorious liars and wasteful spendthrifts. The money will be gone before you know it and they'll be back at the trough.

      "That charge would rise by $2 plus inflation every year until the state meets its climate goals,"

      Surprise! We didn't reach our goal again. Time to raise your taxes! So sorry about that. Better luck next time.

    2. Re:The solution to pollution? A tax by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 2

      Boeing is already moving jobs out of Washington and into South Carolina. Additional taxes would accelerate the transition.

    3. Re:The solution to pollution? A tax by SirSlud · · Score: 2

      The rich aren't affected (even though they claim they are).

      This is weapons grade stupidity. The point of taxes isn't to make people feel something. It's to collect money to use to do things that make a society healthier and more productive.

      --
      "Old man yells at systemd"
    4. Re:The solution to pollution? A tax by dryeo · · Score: 2

      That's how it was done in BC, income tax cuts along with the introduction of the carbon tax. The economy did very well.
      Eventually the left wing NDP got into power, with support from the Greens (it was close to a tied election) and took out the revenue neutral part. So far the economy is still doing well and the budget is still balanced.

      --
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
  2. Washington State, paying guilt tax for China by BrookHarty · · Score: 2, Informative

    Just what this state needs is more taxes, the new electric license plates cost 300 dollars and a monthly fee, sugar tax that includes soda water and diet soda but leaves the starbucks sugar sweet ass drinks sugar tax free...

    The pot tax is one of the highest, the alcohol tax is crazy high, the gas tax is stupidly high, and when we get tabs affordable, switch to pay per mile and tax on car value.

    Sorry, I don't know how much longer I can stay in this state, we have numerous bills to take our guns after they already gutted us to one of the harshed guns laws in the country. And Seattle is the fastest growing city in the USA, Yeah, read /r/seattle and see people complaining about 3k a month rents and light rail that wont be finished until I retire. (Kinda late). What does that 5k a year in property tax get you? Eating your retirement?

    Stupidity...

  3. Exactly how long does it take to make a ton of CO2 by tlambert · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Exactly how long does it take to make a ton of CO2 for an exhaling human being?

    A human exhales about 2.3 pounds of carbon dioxide per day if they are sedentary, and up to 18.4 pounds if they are very active.

    So on average, unless you are an athlete, every 2 years, you exhale a ton of CO2.

    It will be fun to see them tax that... $7.50 a year from homeless people, or they are required to quit breathing.

  4. Re:Exactly how long does it take to make a ton of by dryeo · · Score: 2

    Breathing is carbon neutral. While I pay a carbon tax on the gasoline I burn, I don't pay a carbon tax on the firewood I burn for heat., nor for the store bought charcoal I use for barbecuing.

    --
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_totalitarianism
  5. Unintended Cosequences by amiga3D · · Score: 4, Informative

    Taxes have all kinds of repercussions to them. I remember the "luxury" tax on Yachts back in the 80s. "Rich people can afford to pay outrageous taxes on their expensive toys" they said. Yes, they can, but they didn't get rich by being stupid. They bought Yachts overseas and over 600,000 Americans lost their jobs. An entire industry was eradicated. It shouldn't take a genius to figure out that industries that could pay this tax wont if they can find a way to avoid it. Ultimately ALL taxes are paid by the working people. Either directly or indirectly.